Infant & Toddler
Connection of Virginia
UPDATE
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Develop a logo that
…makes us think of children;
…represents visually a pathway or track;
…looks to the future; and
…honors our past.
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If you’ve been involved in Virginia’s early intervention system long enough, you’ll likely remember First Steps—the title of our earliest brochure and a cornerstone of our public awareness messaging. Our First Steps brochure highlighted important developmental milestones and reminded families and professionals to be on alert for (and to celebrate!) each and every such “first step.” There’s no denying that TRAC-IT represents a giant step (see what we did there?) forward for Part C in Virginia. When you log into TRAC-IT, we hope the logo you see will be a reminder of how far we’ve come, together.
As for ensuring the logo makes us think of young children…what could be more recognizable than little feet wandering without care or worry—and in this case directly through our logo!? We hope the footsteps and the track left behind will bring a smile whenever you see it. We also hope it will serve as a reminder that you are an integral part of each child’s and family’s journey. ITCVA children and families never walk alone.
Finally, as for looking to the future…. Well, those little feet are leaving us, aren’t they? They always do: Every child and family will transition from early intervention someday to…their future. And because of what you’ve chosen to do—the commitment you’ve made to serving infants and toddlers with disabilities in Virginia—you’ll be there with them, wherever they go.
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Have you—as a highly-dedicated but oftentimes overworked and stressed out individual working within Virginia’s Part C early intervention system for infants and toddlers with disabilities—ever wished for… |
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· …a centralized “place” where all team members supporting a child and family could view all contact notes and documentation for enhanced collaboration?
· …a helpful and reliable tool for ensuring that completed physician certifications and other required documents haven’t been overlooked or missed?
· …an easier way to monitor family contacts (both attempted and completed) and track cancellations?
· …an EHR that would automatically generate tasks and reminders for next steps based on where a child and family happen to be in the EI process?
If so, you’re not alone…and—great news!—you’ll only have to wish a little while longer! Virginia’s new statewide early intervention data system, TRAC-IT, is fast approaching and will provide all of these features…and many more!
Want to get a glimpse into the future?
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PRACTITIONER DATA CLEAN-UP AND MIGRATION
As the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia prepares to launch our new statewide data system, TRAC-IT, we are asking all early intervention certified practitioners to complete some data clean-up in ITOTS. This will help ensure that ITOTS data migrates to TRAC-IT in a way that allows accurate and timely access and use of TRAC-IT by organizations and individual practitioners. We would appreciate you completing this clean-up task by February 25, 2022 using these instructions.
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IMPACT OF LATE DATA ENTRY
For children who have Medicaid at the time of enrollment, timely entry of the intake date determines Medicaid revenue.
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Provider Implementation Survey Results
Despite all of the challenges posed by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, 468 individuals responded to our sixth annual provider implementation survey in October, 2021. That’s a response rate of 49%. Thank you for taking the time to participate! Check out the report of this year’s statewide results here.
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Coaching Fidelity Assessment Summary
Based on observations completed 10/1/20 – 9/30/21
In December 2021, all local systems submitted reports on the results of observations completed in the fourth year of coaching fidelity assessment. Of the 40 local systems, 34 reported at least one observation had been completed between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021. Based on this year’s observations, the overall use of evidence-based coaching practices have continued to increase. The biggest increase was in the reflection practice of giving the caregiver an opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve tried before showing a strategy, which increased from 88% in 2020 to 92% in 2021. This was at 81% in 2018, the first year fidelity observations were conducted. We hope you’ll take a minute to review the full report.
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“Learn the Signs. Act Early” Virginia Update: |
Virginia’s Act Early Team is offering an Act Early ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) training series this year with colleagues in Wyoming, Ohio, and Massachusetts. We would love to have early intervention providers, administrators, and families participate!
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There are three sessions remaining in the series focused on cultural considerations in early identification. Session dates: February 4th, February 18th, and March 4th – each session is from 11:00 am-12:30 pm. This Friday’s session is “Culturally Responsive Self-Care Practices for Early Childhood Providers.” Please plan to join us for this FREE series!
If you have any questions, please contact Deana Buck, CDC’s Act Early Ambassador to Virginia, at deanabuck@gmail.com or by phone at (804) 405-9064.
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SUPPORTING POSITIVE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS |
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Long-Haul Stressors on Children and Practitioners’: Strategies for Support
We are all moving into our third year of working with children and families during a time of crisis. As practitioners of Early Intervention, Education, and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, we are all striving to find strategies that will support the children and families that we work with each day. While we are assisting the child in making developmental progress, It is extremely important no matter our expertise in the field that we are all “Holding the Baby in Mind”. This is one of the most important tenets of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, and can be widely applied to all of the work that we do with our children. Essentially, this thought represents the idea that as we enter each session with Infants/Toddlers, we must consider “What does this experience mean for the child?” Social-Emotional wellness is key to a child’s development and supports healthy relational health overall. As practitioners in the field, it is important to recognize the importance of all the interlocking pieces of development, how to identify when an Infant/Toddler is in crisis, and what strategies can we employ to achieve best outcomes. The article below highlights reflections and ideas of practitioners working in the field. This information may help support all of us in our daily work with children and families:
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FIPP 50th Anniversary Webinar Series |
In celebration of 50 years of excellence in early childhood intervention and family support, FIPP is hosting a free webinar every month in 2022. Each webinar features a critical topic in early intervention delivered by a past or present FIPP staff member. Register separately for each webinar at the associated link. |
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Upcoming Events
Advanced Registration Required.
https://fipp.ncdhhs.gov/fipp-50th-anniversary-webinar-series/
See FIPP website for complete list of this years events
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INFANT & TODDLER CONNECTION OF VIRGINIA |
Looking for the most up-to-date version of the Part C Practice Manual...upcoming meeting dates...or even a new career opportunity? You'll find plenty of helpful information on the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia's early intervention website! Be sure to visit and bookmark itcva.online!
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EARLY INTERVENTION CERTIFICATION |
For questions about certification of practitioners, contact David Mills • 804-317-7776
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Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia is part of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
1220 Bank Street, 9th Floor, P.O. Box 1797, Richmond, Virginia 23219-1797
Main Office: (804) 786-3710 • Main Fax: (804) 371-7959
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1220 Bank Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 664-2462
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